Security Precautions Shuls Should Take For Pesach

By Zalman Myer-Smith

As shuls, schools and Chabad centers finally resume regular all year-around operations, albeit in an increasingly unstable world, it’s time to prepare for Pesach in earnest. As we look forward to enjoying Yom Tov and spending time with friends and family, we sadly have to remind communities to do so in a safe and secure environment.

Just as we make our homes chametz free, so too must we work together to keep our shuls, schools and community centers crime and terror free. Antisemitism and attacks on Jews in the USA, Israel and across the world are still occurring on an all too frequent basis. Just as Pesach preparations are required with systems and planning, this also applies to security preparations to ensure safe events and programming.

Here are some simple no to low cost steps & common sense process you can implement now to keep your site and community safer during Pesach season & beyond:

1. Inform your local police/sheriff about any planned or advertised Pesach events.
2. Consider hiring off duty police or private security for advertised events.
3. Your volunteer security team should be in touch with local law enforcement, go over schedule of events and coverage and ensure they are easily visible in an incident and abide by law enforcement active scene/shooter protocols.
4. Any Pesach events should be coordinated with local police, private security and security volunteers.
5. Have a fire extinguisher and EMS/First Aid Kit available during events.
6. If you are holding an outside event, make sure you use vehicles or barriers to prevent intentional ramming during the event.
7. If holding an outside event next to your building, make sure the building is secured while the event is taking place to avoid theft, damage or worse.
8. Ensure children are supervised at all times and ensure they know where to go and what to do in a security emergency.
9. Prepare beforehand your response if someone spots a suspicious person, package or vehicle. Identify a clearly recognizable point person (staff, security or law enforcement) to notify and they can then take appropriate action.
10. Prepare beforehand your response to a possible medical emergency.
11. If someone is making inquiries online, in person or over the phone about details of your event, exercise caution in what you are sharing as it could be pre attack information gathering.
12. If you, your staff, members or visitors see anything suspicious, they should say something to your private security, volunteer security team and then notify law enforcement immediately.

If you need any guidance, do not hesitate to contact www.thecso.org

Hoping that the Ultimate Protector will take us out of this golus and wishing you and yours a happy, healthy, safe and kosher Pesach!

Zalman Myer-Smith is the Executive Director of www.thecso.org, a Florida-based volunteer Community Security Organization liaising, training, and working with law enforcement agencies and serving Jewish community synagogues, schools, and centers. Zalman is also the Director of Security for both Lubavitch Educational Center in Miami and for Chabad of Florida.